Abandoned House & Townhouse Catch Fire on Easter Sunday

ORLAND PARK, IL -- The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) responded to calls from multiple residents reporting smoke coming from an abandoned house in the 7900 block of 143rd Street. Just as firefighters were getting that situation under control, they received another call for a dryer fire that was beginning to spread in a townhome in the 15700 block of Chesterfield Lane.

Calls came in around 5:04 PM from residents of the 14400 block of Claridge Court and the 7900 block of Michelle Court reporting smoke coming from an abandoned house behind their homes. Nearby Orland Park Police Officers were on scene within minutes and multiple OFPD trucks, engines, ambulances, and a battalion chief were dispatched at 5:06 PM.

Orland Park Police and Cook County Sheriff’s Deputies closed 143rd St. westbound from Harlem Ave. to 82nd Ave to allow for emergency vehicle staging on 143rd St. which was the only point of access to the structure. The long, narrow gravel driveway of the abandoned house proved difficult for larger fire trucks to get to the structure. The abandoned house was in unincorporated Orland Park which falls under the police jurisdiction of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), fire/rescue units from neighboring departments including Tinley Park and Crestwood changed quarters to cover some of the empty Orland fire stations which were on scene at the abandoned house fire. Battalion chiefs from neighboring MABAS agencies, as well as a ladder truck from Palos, were also on scene providing assistance. ComEd's assistance was also required as a live power line had fallen near the back of the house, posing a major safety concern. ComEd cut power to the downed line while firefighters continued to extinguish the flames.

Just less than one hour after their dispatch to the abandoned house fire, Orland Central Dispatch received a call at 6:01 PM for a dryer fire that was beginning to spread in a townhouse in the 15700 block of Chesterfield Lane.

Thankfully for MABAS, the units from Tinley Park and Crestwood were already stationed at the down Orland fire stations and quickly arrived on scene at approximately 6:05 PM with an Orland ambulance that was also available. Residents were already safely evacuated and the incident was quickly reported under control at approximately 6:08 PM. Firefighters remained on scene for about a half hour to assist with smoke ventilation and cleanup so that the residents could safely return to their homes.

Command for both scenes was terminated around 6:25 PM with no injuries at either incident. The cause of the abandoned house fire is being investigated by OFPD.

(Updated 4/22/19 7PM to clarify the downed power line was near the residence, not connected, and to confirm there were no injuries at either fire per the press release provided by the OFPD on 4/22.)